Career Opportunities
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Child Life Specialist
A child life specialist works within the pediatric field. They are typically part of a team that focuses on healthcare for children and/or teenage children. Child life specialists use playing, talking and art to connect and help children. These specialists will usually work in places like doctor\'s offices and private clinics but they can also be present in funeral homes, hospices and schools (Degree Directory, 2013).
Employment outlook: The employment outlook for child specialists is improving as the overall number of jobs is increasing. The concentrations are higher in metropolitan and urban areas because children\'s hospitals are the most common place where these positions exist. The average child specialist earns about $43,000 a year; the top and bottom 10% are around $54,000 and $35,000 respectively (Degree Directory, 2013).
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Early Childhood Intervention
Like the child life specialist, early childhood interventionists typically work on a team. Their common points of contact are fellow providers and families with children in crisis or potential crisis. Providers involved include occupational and physical therapists, social service providers and other medical personnel. Such a position requires at least a bachelor\'s degree with more advanced learning being highly advantageous (Personnel Directory, 2013).
The outlook for the early intervention specialist is extremely good because the need for qualified professionals is very high. Government grants help organizations hire and retain these professionals. Many agencies contract directly with school districts and this allows for upward and lateral movement. Working in a daycare or similar environment that caters to disabled children is a good idea to get a taste for what a career in this field would be like (Personnel Directory, 2013).
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Adult Protective Services
Adult protective services falls under the social work dimension of the career workforce, and social workers are in high demand in the United States. They help protect adults who are vulnerable so they do not get hurt or fall victim to neglect or abuse (BLS, 2013).
The outlook for social workers is very high. Positions are expected to grow roughly 25% from 2010 to 2020, higher than average. The broader field includes about 650,000 positions, projected to rise by 161,200 over the decade. Work experience and on-the-job training are not typically needed; median pay is about $42,000 a year ($20 per hour) in the United States (BLS, 2013).
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Court Appointed Special Service
Court-appointed special service personnel, also commonly referred to as advocates, are appointed by judges to watch over the best interests of children who are abused or neglected. They stay involved until the case is adjudicated and completed (CASA, 2013).
Paid positions generally fall under the social work category; many roles are volunteer through organizations such as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), which operate on a volunteer basis and do not receive remuneration.
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Head Start Administrator/Teacher
Head Start provides early life educational assistance for children of poor families and is funded by government levels. Administrators and teachers oversee program delivery and educational outcomes for preschool children.
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Forensic Interviewer
A forensic interviewer uses psychological principles in the criminal justice system to conduct interviews for civil and criminal cases, family court, and custody hearings (BLS, 2013).
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Children\'s Protective Services
Protective services personnel work under the social work umbrella. They collaborate with local law enforcement to determine if a child is in danger and how to address removals from living situations when necessary (BLS, 2013).
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Pregnancy Center Employee
Pregnancy center staff may be volunteers or paid and can take forms including church-oriented groups offering alternatives to abortion such as adoption or keeping the baby (pay and benefits vary).
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Adoption Center Employee
Adoption center staff support adoption processes, families and children through services and administrative duties within adoption agencies.
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Foster Care Parent or Employee
Foster care roles involve caring for children in foster placement, or working within agencies to support foster families and case management.
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Women Shelter Employee
Staff at women\'s shelters provide safety, advocacy, resources and support to women in crisis and their children.
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Children\'s Camp Administrator
Administrators oversee operations, programming and staff at children\'s camps, ensuring safety and positive programming for participants.